Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 106
03/29/2008 09:00 AM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR14 | |
| SCR19 | |
| HB422 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SCR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 422 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SCR 19 - GOVERNOR'S SUMMIT ON EARLY LEARNING 9:07:04 AM CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Relating to implementation of the recommendations of the Governor's Summit on Early Learning. 9:07:21 AM MICHELLE SYDEMAN, Staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Wielechowski, informed the committee that SCR 19 relates to the implementation of the recommendations of the Governor's Summit on Early Learning. She advised that Alaska was awarded a grant from the National Governors Association to hold a summit on early learning and more than 150 statewide leaders participated. One of the goals of the summit was to ensure that the state's future economy would be supported by an educated and productive workforce; therefore, the participants recommended that all children, especially those in need, have access to quality early learning opportunities. Ms. Sydeman cited findings that supported the value of early learning to teach children under six necessary skills for success later in life. She noted that one-half of Alaska's children enter kindergarten unprepared to be successful learners. Moreover, Alaska is one of ten states without a state funded, statewide, early childhood learning system. Some of the proven benefits of attending a quality preschool are: higher achievement test scores, significantly less grade repetition, reduction in special education placement, higher rates of high school graduation, increased college attendance, fewer arrests, and less reliance on public assistance. 9:10:40 AM MS. SYDEMAN continued to explain that, according to economists, the above factors make the return on investments in preschool far greater than those from most public economic development projects. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank reports that for every dollar spent on early education, society reaps $16 in benefits. Further, there is strong support by Alaskans for a voluntary early learning program. Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 calls on Governor Palin to consider the recommendations of the Summit for Early Education, and to work closely with the legislature to implement those recommendations. 9:11:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked for information on the governor's funding level for Head Start. GINGER BLAISDELL, Staff to Senator Lyda Green, Alaska State Legislature, offered her understanding that the governor increased funding for Head Start by about $700,000, but she acknowledged that her information may no longer be accurate. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER further asked how many kids, who qualify for Head Start, will still be wait-listed at the level of funding currently in the budget. MS. BLAISDELL recalled that 900 children are on the wait-list and she estimated that there will still be a substantial number, even with the addition of $700,000 to the program. Furthermore, many communities do not have Head Start programs available. CHAIR WILSON stated that the Department of Health & Social Services (DHSS) was undecided about the distribution of the funding. MS. BLAISDELL advised that there was a commitment by the DHSS to existing Head Start programs. 9:14:20 AM REPRESENTATIVE ROSES noted that in the subcommittee hearings on Head Start members were told that, in some communities, there is not enough space or staff to expand regardless of how much more funding becomes available. He pointed out that there are several issues, such as oversight by the Department of Education and Early Development (EED), besides the lack of funding. 9:15:27 AM CHAIR WILSON opined that Head Start is making changes at the federal level to increase language development. REPRESENTATIVE ROSES stated his support for the resolution, but observed that the committee has already moved a bill that allows the development of an early education program by the EED. 9:16:34 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON expressed his support of the resolution. He spoke of the variety of ways that early education will benefit Alaskan society. 9:17:43 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stated her support of SSSCR 19 as a participant of the Summit on Early Learning. She observed that this is a direction in which the state must go, and go quickly. She shared her belief that the legislature should fully utilize programs, such as Head Start, that are already available. Representative Cissna recommended the passage of SSSCR 19. 9:19:08 AM TIFFANY RYAN, Executive Director, Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (Alaska AEYC), expressed her support of SSSCR 19. She acknowledged the work that the legislature has done, such as increasing the child care assistance rate and increasing funding to Head Start. However, the hope is that, during the next legislative session, there will increases in eligibility for child care assistance and further support for Head Start. 9:20:35 AM ABBE HENSLEY, Executive Director, Best Beginnings, after thanking the sponsor for the resolution, relayed that Best Beginnings worked with the governor's office to put on the Summit on Early Learning which resulted in the resolution's recommendations. She stressed the broad-based support in Alaska for the recommendations and encouraged their review during the interim and the next session. She pointed out that there are two other recommendations; the voluntary quality rating and improvement system, and the comprehensive public engagement campaign. Both of these recommendations are on-going projects. 9:24:45 AM CAROL PRENTICE, Academic Programs, System for Early Education Division (SEED), stated that she was a participant in the Governor's Summit on Early Learning and echoed the testimony from the previous speakers. She reinforced the need for the state to adopt the voluntary quality rating and improvement system as a way to assure access, affordability, and quality for all early learning programs. Her role in the System for Early Education Division (SEED), University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), is to provide professional development for teachers and providers who work with young children. Professional development in this field is provided statewide to related organizations. Ms. Prentice advised that providers and teachers are trying to improve the systems of early learning that are already in existence. 9:28:03 AM CHAIR WILSON stated her support of the rating of child care facilities by quality and the educational levels of the providers. MS. PRENTICE added that the rating would be a valuable tool for parents. 9:29:06 AM LUPITA ALVAREZ, Director, Juneau Montessori Program, informed the committee that Montessori schools focus on high education for staff so as to be able to provide children with the best experience. Montessori schools are a world wide program that has been in existence for over 100 years. In fact, Head Start was based on the Montessori model. She described aspects of the Juneau Montessori Program. Ms. Alverez explained that a highly educated staff also means a quality program that is difficult for all families to afford without support from the community. She expressed her support for child care assistance and noted that tuition at the Montessori preschool is almost $1,000 per month. Ms. Alverez stressed that her program wished to expand to meet the community's need for child care; however, to accomplish that, she would require funding for a facility and teacher training. 9:32:59 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA surmised that the private sector can not provide services to children in need without government support. She asked whether Montessori has statistics on student outcomes. MS. ALVEREZ related that children are better prepared in reading, writing, and math. In addition, their thinking abilities are developed. Typically, a child completing kindergarten in a Montessori program would be reading, would be able to complete some addition and subtraction, and would have an understanding of some basic concepts. There is also a focus on language development. Children at the elementary level are better able to collaborate and solve problems. 9:35:36 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether training for the Montessori program is the sole responsibility of the teacher, or if there are workforce development or training grants available. MS. ALVEREZ said that the Montessori community is seeking various funding. Fundraisers help sponsor teachers so that they can go outside for training and return to Juneau. CHAIR WILSON recalled her visit to the Montessori school. She then closed public testimony. 9:37:32 AM REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved to report SSSCR 19 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, SSSCR 19 was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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